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Wayne, NJ
Pompton Lakes, NJ
Police & Fire
Fire Rips Through Chinese Restaurant At Pompton Lakes Strip Mall
A fire tore through a Chinese restaurant in a Passaic County strip mall on Thursday night, severely damaging the business and impacting nearby stores, local fire officials said. The blaze broke out around 9:15 p.m. on April 17 at the Golden Garden Chinese restaurant on Hamburg Turnpike in Pompton Lakes, according to the Pompton Lakes Volunteer Fire Department. When crews arrived, they found flames coming from several areas of the building, the department said. Tonight around 9:15 PM, the PLVFD responded to a structure fire in the strip mall with Golden Garden Chinese restaurant... Post…
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
Trespasser Fatally Struck By Train In Wayne: NJ Transit
A woman was fatally struck by a train in Wayne on Saturday, April 12, authorities said. At 2:57 p.m., a Montclair Boonton Line train, struck and fatally injured the woman, who was trespassing, east of the Wayne Route 23 Transit Center, NJ Transit said. The train, which departed Hoboken at 1:58 p.m., was en route to Dover at 3:30 p.m., NJTransit said. There were no injuries to the 27 customers and crew on board, NJ Transit said. Montclair-Boonton Line rail service was temporarily suspended in both directions between Montclair State University to Denville, NJ Transit said. New Je…
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
Man Stabbed At Planet Fitness In Wayne, Suspect Caught In Mahwah: Police
A 33-year-old Mahwah man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing another man during a fight at a Planet Fitness in Wayne, authorities said. Wayne police were called to the gym around 5:49 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, for a report of a fight in progress between two men, Detective Capt. Dan Daly said. Soon after, police learned that one of the men had been stabbed and the suspect, Thomas J. Vitulano, had run off across the parking lot, Daly said. Officers searched the area while others helped the victim and started an investigation. A patrol officer found a knife believed to hav…
Wayne, NJ
Schools
Wayne Valley's Ken Palczewski Dies: 'More Than Just A Principal'
A New Jersey high school is mourning the loss of its principal, district officials announced Thursday, April 10. Wayne Valley High School Principal Ken Palczewski who died after more than 30 years in education and over a decade leading the school, Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback said. "Ken was more than just a principal — he was the heart of Wayne Valley," Toback said. "His care for every student, his dedication to his staff, and the sense of family and Valley Pride he brought to our school community made an indelible impact. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in ever…
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
'The Taphouse' In Wayne Closes Abruptly
The Taphouse, a popular bar and grille in Wayne, closed suddenly after more than a decade in business. The restaurant's social media pages had been deactivated and a message on its website reads: "Taphouse is Permanently Closed. We sincerely thank our patrons for your support over the years. It was a pleasure serving you with some of the best beer and food!" It wasn't immediately clear how long it's been closed for. The Taphouse opened on French Hill Road in 2011 offering lunch, dinner, catering, private events, and more.
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
NJ Trooper Arrested, Dog Found Shot Dead In Wayne Condo: Cops
A New Jersey State Trooper is facing criminal charges after police say a dog was found shot dead inside a Wayne condo following reports of a disturbance. The Wayne Police Department was called around 12:55 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, after residents at a local condo complex reported hearing a commotion, possibly including a gunshot, Wayne Police Capt. Daniel Daly said. Several minutes later, officers leaving Wayne Police Headquarters found a man, later identified as Alexander Lark, acting erratically in the parking lot. Police said he was destroying a stop sign when officers tried to calm h…
Wayne, NJ
Business
New Bar Replacing Mother's Ale House In Wayne: Introducing Brokedown Palace
A shuttered Wayne sports bar is getting a second act — with some upgrades and a new name. Brokedown Palace is taking over the former Mother’s Ale House at 23 Mountainview Boulevard, which hit the market back in 2022. The new bar is being developed by 805 Hospitality, the group behind The Mason Jar in Mahwah and The Tavern at the Iron Horse in Westwood, according to Matt Valerio, the company's director of operations. Valerio said he used to be a regular at Mother’s and hopes to keep the vibe familiar — just better. Basement rendering of Brokedown Palace 805 Hospitality …
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
Man Allegedly Scammed Elderly Victim Out Of $12.5K — Now Cops In Wayne Want To Find Him
Police in Wayne are asking for the public's help in tracking down the suspect who scammed an elderly victim out of $12,500. Police declined to share details of the incident citing an active investigation. The suspect may have ties to Jersey City, police said. Anyone who can identify the suspect in this photo is asked to contact Det. Henriquez at (973)694-0600.
Haledon-Prospect Park, NJ
Police & Fire
'Seconds Count:' Haledon Police Chief, Prospect Park Mayor Save Crash Victim In Cardiac Arrest
Haledon Police Chief Angelo J. Daniele was on his way home from work when he saw a car that had crashed against a guardrail in February. Moments later, he was fighting to save a man’s life. Daniele, a 29-year veteran, was honored with a Life-Saving Citation from Mayor Michael Johnson and the Haledon Municipal Council on Thursday, March 13, for his quick-thinking actions that helped revive a driver in cardiac arrest. At the ceremony, where the victim was sitting in the audience, Daniele recalled the moment his ordinary day turned into a life-or-death rescue. Chief Angelo Daniele of Hale…
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
Video Shows Sword-Wielding Man Charge At Wayne Cops Before Being Shot: Prosecutor
Police have identified the Wayne man captured on newly-released bodycam footage coming down the stairway of his home with a long sword, prompting officers to fire their guns last month (scroll down for footage). On Friday, Feb. 14, Wayne police encountered Connor Darpino, 34, when they responded to a single-car crash, where he was identified as the driver, Passaic County Prosecutor Camila M. Valdes in a new update Wednesday, March 12. During that interaction, Darpino became argumentative and combative with officers, leading to his arrest and release from Wayne Police Headquarters after bein…
Passaic, NJ
Police & Fire
Passaic County Residents Among 23 Arrested In Another Major Drug Bust: Prosecutor
Twenty-three people including four women and 19 men from Bergen and Passaic counties have been arrested following a 10-month-long investigation into the distribution of cocaine and narcotics in Passaic County, authorities said. The 23 people were charged with various controlled dangerous substance offenses after an investigation that began last May, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes and numerous police chiefs said. Law enforcement in Wayne and Pompton Lakes began investigating after responding to complaints about the sale of cocaine in the area, Valdes said. The investigati…
Fair Lawn-Glen Rock, NJ
Police & Fire
Fair Lawn Man, 23, Sexually Assaulted Child Repeatedly In Oradell, Wayne: Prosecutor
A 23-year-old Fair Lawn man is facing charges for sexually assaulting a child repeatedly in Oradell and Wayne years ago, authorities said. Gerald A. Picado assaulted the child between April 2022 and November 2023 on multiple occasions, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said following an investigation. Picado was arrested Thursday, Feb. 13 and charged with six counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree sexual assault, two counts of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and one…
Union, NJ
News
Lucky Streak: Multiple $10K Winning NJ Lottery Tickets Sold — Here's Where
New Jersey Lottery players struck gold last week, with multiple $10,000 winning tickets sold as part of the $1,000,000 Spectacular game. The winning tickets were sold at the following locations: Wayne: Plains Pharmacy at 578 Valley Road, sold on Saturday, Feb. 15. Newark: Elm & Union Convenient Store, 109 Elm St., sold on Feb. 10. Hillsdale: Quick Shop, 48 Paterson St., sold on Feb. 11. Dover: BP gas station, 18 Route 46 East, sold on Feb. 13. A ticket winning the $1 million prize was sold in Perth Amboy on Feb. 11. Lottery officials urge all players to check their tickets and claim t…
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
Police Shoot Sword-Wielding Resident In Wayne: Prosecutor
A Wayne resident armed with two swords is in stable condition after being shot by police on Friday night, Feb. 14, authorities said. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Shooting Response Team responded to a home on White Birch Court around 9:55 p.m., Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. Wayne police had been dispatched to perform a welfare check when they encountered the suspect, armed with two swords, Valdes said. One Wayne officer discharged a service-issued firearm, striking the individual, according to the prosecutor. That individual was transported to the hospital …
Jefferson-Lake Hopatcong, NJ
Obituaries
Corrections Officer, Oak Ridge Dad Yuda Sunarno Dies, 43
Yuda Sunarno, a 43-year-old Oak Ridge resident and Passaic County corrections officer died on Sunday, Feb. 2, according to his obituary from the Vander May Funeral Home. A football player at Bloomfield High School, Sunaro later graduated from Montclair State University, his obituary reads. Initially beginning his career working at Aeropostale, Sunaro later applied to the Passaic County Sherriff's Office, working as a corrections officer for more than 10 years at Grand Street Jail in Paterson, according to his obituary. Our hearts are heavy to announce the untimely passing of retir…
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
Man Runs Over Ex-GF Rendering Her Unconscious In Wayne Motel Parking Lot: Cops
A Paterson man is accused of smashing his ex-girlfriend’s windshield, stealing her phone, and running her over in a fit of rage outside a Wayne motel this week, authorities said. At approximately 4:35 a.m. on Feb. 2, multiple Wayne Police Officers responded to the Quality Inn on Route 46 for reports of a man vandalizing a vehicle, police said. Officer Adrian Valentin arrived to find the suspect attempting to leave the scene and stopped him, authorities said. While the suspect refused to cooperate, a second man—the victim’s current boyfriend—approached and told officers the suspect had smash…
Wayne, NJ
News
Sinkhole Swallows Car, Tractor Trailer After Water Main Breaks In Wayne
A water main eruption Thursday, Jan 16 in Wayne caused the roadway to buckle and left a tractor-trailer and car stranded in large craters, police said. The North Jersey Water Commission water main on Demarest Drive, an industrial area of the township, broke around 5:13 p.m., according to Detective Capt. Dan Daly of the Wayne Police Department. Wayne officers closed Demarest Drive to additional traffic. The tractor-trailer was towed from the scene, while the driver of the car had to be rescued by Wayne Fire Department personnel using an aerial tower truck. The driver declined medical attenti…
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
Man Punches Creep Recording Him, Gets An Apology In Wayne JCPenney Bathroom: Cops
A Central Jersey man has been charged with invasion of privacy after he was accused of using his cell phone to film another man in a restroom at the JCPenney department store in Wayne, authorities said. The incident occurred at the Wayne Towne Center store on Friday, Jan. 10, at approximately 1:30 p.m. when Wayne Police Officers Anthony Halko, John Nielsen, and Sergeant John Culic responded to reports of suspicious activity at the store, according to Detective Capt. Daniel Daly. The victim told police he was in a bathroom stall when someone reached under the front door with a cell pho…
Wayne, NJ
Business
Mediterranean Gem Blue Fig Garden Opens 2nd Location At Willowbrook Mall
Blue Fig Garden, a Mediterranean restaurant with a flagship location in Cherry Hill, has expanded to North Jersey with a new location. The restaurant held its soft opening at the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne on Friday, January 10, inviting guests to experience its authentic Mediterranean cuisine and vibrant atmosphere. According to the restaurant’s website, Blue Fig Garden offers “a diverse selection of authentic cuisine,” including fire-roasted dishes, traditional Mediterranean desserts, and Turkish coffee brewed on hot sand. The menu features a wide range of appetizers, including humm…
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
Wayne SWAT Standoff: Semi-Conscious Suspect Found After Hours-Long Barricade, Police Say
Details have been released in a SWAT standoff that had Wayne residents barred from entering their apartments for hours on Thursday, Jan. 2. Trouble on Lancaster Court in the Wayne Village apartments began around 1:40 p.m. when a woman called police saying that she was not home, but a man later identified as Hisham N. Obaid, 38, broke in and sent her photos saying he was inside, Wayne Police Capt. Daniel Daly said. Police found Obaid's car parked outside and observed him through a window. While the apartment doors were locked, officers contacted the man by phone and set up a perimeter. …
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
SWAT Standoff Shakes Wayne Neighborhood, Barricade Ends After Nearly Five Hours
A SWAT standoff unfolded in a Wayne neighborhood on Thursday, Jan. 2, gripping residents of the Wayne Village apartments as authorities surrounded one particular unit. UPDATE: Semi-Conscious Suspect Found After Hours-Long Barricade, Police Say The situation began around 1 p.m. on Lancaster Court, according to residents, some of whom were unable to access their units during the standoff. Photos from the scene show heavily armed SWAT team members standing outside a unit, shields raised and long guns drawn, as they worked to resolve the incident. The barricade ended peacefully at approximate…
Wayne, NJ
Business
Immigrant Couple Turns Struggles To Success: Celebrating 30 Years Of Jyoti In Wayne
Thirty years ago, Asha and Satish Guglani took a leap of faith on Route 46. They had little money, a dream, and a register sitting on a table because there wasn’t enough to buy a counter. Today, Jyoti, their Indian restaurant, stands as a cherished cornerstone of Wayne—a testament to decades of hard work, family dedication, and loyal customers. Jyoti, named after the Guglanis’ eldest daughter and symbolizing a “spiritual light,” opened its doors on Dec. 24, 1994. Asha was nervous but determined when Satish suggested opening a second restaurant just for her to run. Satish had already found s…
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
Explosive Blaze At Preakness Hills Country Club Contained
A fiery inferno lit up the night sky over Preakness Hills Country Club on Monday, Dec. 29, as a maintenance building went up in flames, prompting a massive emergency response to prevent a potentially catastrophic disaster. Wayne Fire companies 3, 4, and 5 rushed to the scene on Ratzer Road just after 9:20 p.m. What they found was every firefighter’s worst-case scenario: a building fully engulfed in flames, dangerously close to both a fuel storage tank and a container of hazardous chemicals. “The first fire chief on the scene quickly realized the risks,” said Fire Commissioner Frank Velardi.…
Cedar Grove, NJ
Police & Fire
21-Year-Old Man Missing After Leaving Cedar Grove Hospital: Sheriff's Office
A 21-year-old man remains missing after he left Essex County Hospital Center in Cedar Grove on Tuesday, Dec. 17, authorities said. Timothy Robinson left the facility on Grove Avenue toward a nearby neighborhood, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office said. Robinson is 5"8" and weighs 130 to 150 lbs., authorities said. He was last seen wearing all-black sweatpants, sweatshirt, and Crocs, with possibly a blue/gray coat, authorities said. Robinson is developmentally delayed and is not classified as a danger to himself or others, authorities said. Due to Robinson’s condition, he is not …
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
Breaking
: Wayne School Bus Crashes Into Building After Hitting 2 Cars, Police Say
A Wayne Board of Education school bus crashed into a building after striking two vehicles at a busy intersection Thursday morning, Dec. 20, authorities said. ALSO SEE: Students, School Bus Driver Hospitalized In Crash With Tractor-Trailer On Route 17 In Paramus The crash occurred at approximately 7:28 a.m. as the bus was traveling north on Black Oak Ridge Road near the intersection with Pompton Plains Crossroad, according to Detective Captain Dan Daly of the Wayne Police Department. After hitting two vehicles stopped in the left turn lane, the bus continued into the intersection, veer…
Wayne, NJ
Obituaries
Prominent Wayne Jazz Musician Danny Bacher Dies At 48
Danny Bacher, a renowned jazz musician and Cliffside Park resident, died at the age of 48, the Jazz Loft in Stony Brook announced. The cause was a heart attack, the Jazz Loft said. A native of Wayne, Bacher was a singer, saxophonist, dancer and composer, who was also an author- having recently published a book about his collection of Laurel and Hardy merchandise, the Jazz Loft said. A graduate of Wayne Hills High School, Bacher attended New Jersey City University, according to his Facebook. At the time of his death, he was working on a project about Harry Nilsson, the Jazz Loft said. “I w…
Pompton Lakes, NJ
Police & Fire
Teacher's Aide Taped Boy To Desk For 50 Minutes, Teacher Did Nothing In Pompton Lakes: Cops
A teacher and a teacher's aide are facing charges in Passaic County for taping a child to a desk for nearly one hour, authorities said. Todd Lewis, 57, of Wayne, a teacher's aide placed masking tape around the back of the 9-year-old boy's neck and secured it to the desk, where the child remained for approximately 40 to 50 minutes, while Sallyann Scala, 67, of Pompton Lakes, continued teaching at Lenox Elementary School on Oct. 31, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. Scala reportedly failed to intervene, according to the child’s statement. On Dec. 11, 2024, based…
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
Breaking
: Baby Found Dead In Wayne, Prosecutor Says
A 7-month-old baby was found dead in Wayne on Wednesday, Dec. 4, authorities said. Wayne police officers were called to Route 23 and Ratzer Road around 1:40 p.m. on reports of a deceased infant, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wayne Police Deputy Chief Joseph Rooney said. Upon arrival, the police located a possible crime scene and a 7- 7-month-old infant, who was subsequently pronounced dead. It was not immediately clear where exactly the harrowing discovery was made. The investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released once it becomes avail…
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
Dad's Route 80 Death In Wayne Spreads Shock, Sadness
Shock and sadness spread following the sudden death of a 41-year-old dad on Route 80 this week. Troopers responded to the crash in the westbound lanes of the highway in Wayne at approximately 10:51 a.m., New Jersey State Police Sgt. Charles Marchan said. A Ford Econoline van, driven by Namon Melvin, 41, of Orange, had rear-ended a Honda passenger car near milepost 53.7, Marchan said. The van then veered off the road, went down an embankment, and struck a tree. Melvin died in the crash while the driver of the Honda was not reported injured, Marchan said. Melvin's death left loved ones in s…
Wayne, NJ
Police & Fire
15-Hour SWAT Standoff Ends In Arrest Of Suicidal Wayne Man, His Father
A 15-hour standoff in Wayne ended peacefully early Thursday morning, Nov. 21 after police negotiated the surrender of a 27-year-old man who had armed himself with a knife and barricaded himself in his family’s home. Officers responded to a home Preakness Avenue home just before 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, on reports that 27-year-old Thomas M. Pfefferkorn, was expressing suicidal thoughts, Wayne Police Chief Joseph Rooney said. Upon arrival, officers encountered the man’s father, Thomas P. Pfefferkorn, standing outside the home. The younger Pfefferkorn retreated into the home, reap…
Hackensack, NJ
News
Bergen County Hospitals Rank Among Safest In New Jersey
New Jersey hospitals are among the safest in the nation, according to the fall 2024 Hospital Safety Grade report from The Leapfrog Group. The Garden State ranks in the top 10 states for the highest percentage of "A" hospitals, joining states like Utah, Virginia, and Connecticut. The grades, which are updated twice a year, assess nearly 3,000 hospitals across the country on their effectiveness at preventing medical errors, accidents, and infections. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 30 performance measures to assign grades ranging from "A" to "F," offering patients and fami…
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